Hi all, I am newly diagnosed hypothyroid and I am here to ask, how long will it take for me to feel better on 50mcg levothyroxine? I was prescribed this as soon as I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago with a retest in 6-8 weeks. Thanks!
22-DEC-2017 (diagnosis)
TSH 60.3 (0.2 - 4.2)
FT4 10.2 (12 - 22)
FT3 3.1 (3.1 - 6.8)
It can take a while. You will usually have a dose increase after your next blood tests. I would try to ensure it is no later than in 6 weeks time. (Don't wait 8). So book your blood test no later than the 2 February. And the next in 6 weeks and so on until you are stable, your TSH is below 2 and your symptoms improved.
You really should have had FreeT3 tested. I assume you are being treated by your GP and not an Endocrinologist?
Did you have any tests to check Adrenals before starting your Levothyroxine?
You need blood tests to check nutrients levels of :
Vitamin D, Calcium; B12, Folate and Ferritin because you could be deficient in some or all of these and require presrcribed supplements. Ask GP for the tests.
You could also ask for Thyroid Antibodies blood tests - TPO and Tg to see if you have Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis which is the cause of Hypothyroidism in most cases. There is no treatment for Hashimoto's. It is the Hypothyroidism that it causes which is treated and you have already started this.
Hope you are feeling better soon. Keep posting your results and refer to this post next time. x
Oh I have TPO antibodies and TG antibodies already. They were done by Blue Horizon, not NHS.
TPO antibodies 704.5 (<34)
TG antibodies 455.2 (<115)
No test for adrenals.
Only under GP
Vitamin and mineral levels checked about a month ago? Sorry I didn't realise they were needed!
So - you know that you have Hashimoto's
And
Yes, you and your GP need your Vitamin & mineral results so that any deficiencies can be treated. If you would like comment / guidance you can post on here with ranges. Will you be asking for Pernicious Anemia testing?
If you are in England and usually pay for Prescriptions then you no longer need to. Ask GP for the application form for exemption.
I think it's best if you try through GP for prescribed supplements first.
ps
Didn't you have FT3 done at the same time as Antibodies with Blue Horizon?
Added
Negative for intrinsic factor, haven't had MMA or homocysteine checked for pernicious anaemia
Ferritin 15 (30 - 400) given ferrous fumarate after result
Vitamin B12 253 (180 - 900)
Folate 1.9 (2.5 - 19.5)
Vitamin D 33.2 (25 - 50 deficiency) given 800iu after result
Taken Dec 2017
What have you been presribed for low B12 and Folate deficiency?
Did you have any other blood results for example MCV and MCHC?
Can you give full Vitamin D result information and comments - were you reported as DEFICIENCY or INSUFFICIENCY? If insufficiency the minimum daily maintenance dose is 800 IU . So keep an eye on this (when is retest?) as 1000 or 2000 IU can also be given. If your report said 'deficiency ' then you should have had Loading doses to begin with anyway - 280,000 to 300,000 IU in split doses over several weeks depending on what treatment regime is decided on.
GP said folate only slightly under range. Nothing prescribed for B12. Complete blood count results below:
Red blood cell count 4.41 (3.80 - 5.80)
White cell count 4.30 (4.00 - 11.00) this is usually about 7?
MCV 77.5 (80 - 98)
MCH 28.1 (28 - 32)
MCHC 376 (310 - 350)
Haemoglobin estimation 117 (115 - 150)
Haematocrit 0.42 (0.37 - 0.47)
Platelets 254 (140 - 500)
Iron 9 (6 - 26)
Transferrin saturation % 14 (12 - 45)
Report for vitamin D says
(<25 severe vitamin D deficiency. Patient may need pharmacological preparations
25 - 50 vitamin D deficiency. Supplementation is indicated
50 - 75 vitamin D may be suboptimal, and long-term may lead to clinical effects. Advise on safe sun exposure and diet
>75 adequate)
I think that a Vitamin D result of under 30 is referred to as "deficiency " (requiring Loading dose) and a result between 30 and 50 is referred to as "insufficiency" when daily maintenance dose may be prescrbed depending on symptoms and conditions.
You could ask your GP about a higher dose if you wish. Maybe your lab ranges differ from others.
Ask GP about your Anemias. Ask them to explain the following and refer to a specialist or treat:
MCV - Low (BELOW range)
MCHC - High (ABOVE range)
Folate - Low (BELOW range)
B12 - Low in range
Iron - Low in range
Transferrin Saturation - Low in range
Ferritin - Low (BELOW range)
You could also put these results and your symptoms on Pernicious Anemia forum and ask their advice if you wish.
Have you asked GP about an MMA test?
Also low in zinc?
Dec 2017
Zinc 14 (11 - 23)
Selenium 0.92 (0.89 - 1.65)
Magnesium 0.83 (0.70 - 1.00)
When do you take Levothyroxine and when do you take supplements?
Are you able to eat a full balanced diet?
Liver once a week? Spinach & other leafy greens? Plenty fresh fruit and root veg? Plenty water?
As mentioned it can take take a while to feel better. Your Levothyroxine dose should increase after your next test and then again after 3rd test etc, till you are stable.
50mcg is only the start dose.
I take Levothyroxine 4 hours away from the supplements, I take the Levothyroxine in the morning. I cannot afford to eat a full balanced diet. I have been drinking more water as well
Detailed supplements advice from SeasideSusie
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
You have high thyroid antibodies so this is Hashimoto's
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Ask GP for coeliac blood test first
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...
chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...
newly diagnosed hypothyroid and confused
Newly diagnosed hypothyroidism- struggling
Newly diagnosed as hyperthyroid
